Find the values of m such that the line does not touch the parabola

  • Thread starter Thread starter brinethery
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Line Parabola
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The values of m for which the line defined by the equation y = mx - 12 does not intersect or touch the parabola given by y = 2x^2 - x - 10 can be determined by analyzing the quadratic equation formed by setting the two equations equal. This results in the quadratic equation 2x^2 - (1 - m)x + 2 = 0. For the line to not intersect the parabola, the discriminant of this quadratic must be less than zero, leading to the condition (1 - m)^2 - 16 < 0. Solving this inequality reveals that m must be in the range of (-∞, -3) ∪ (5, ∞).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quadratic equations and their discriminants
  • Familiarity with the quadratic formula
  • Knowledge of parabolas and their properties
  • Basic algebra skills for manipulating equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of parabolas and their intersections with linear equations
  • Learn how to calculate the discriminant of a quadratic equation
  • Practice solving inequalities involving quadratic expressions
  • Explore the implications of real and complex roots in quadratic equations
USEFUL FOR

Students studying algebra and pre-calculus, educators teaching quadratic functions, and anyone interested in the geometric relationships between lines and parabolas.

brinethery
Messages
22
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



for what values of m does the line with equation y = mx - 12 not intersect or touch the parabola with equation y = 2x^2-x-10. Please show working out & explain.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



This question was asked on openstudy and there hasn't been an answer to it yet. It's been 5 years since I've taking algebra and pre-calc, so there's certain things I don't remember how to do such as this question.

Would anyone know how to approach this? I'm just extremely curious :-)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
At a point, (x,y), where the two graphs intersect, the x and y values must be the same- that is, there exist a value of x such that [itex]y= 2x^2- x- 10= mx- 12[/itex]. That's a quadratic equation, it reduces to [itex]2x^2- (1-m)x+ 2= 0[/itex], and so has either 2 real roots (the line crosses the parabola), 1 double root (the line is tangent to the parabola), of no real roots (the line does not touch the parabola). Use the quadratic formula to determine what m must be so that equation has no real roots.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K